Sequin feeder apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention has a support member which rotatably supports a reel by supporting the outer periphery of the reel at least two positions and a posture restriction member (a pair of wall members or press roller) which restricts a posture of the reel supported by the support member. As another example, the reel is rotatably held in the hold member, and the hold member is supported by the support member and its posture is restricted by the posture restriction member. As still another example, the reel is arranged between a pair of wall members and the reel is pivotally supported by inserting the support member which has a support shaft which is suitable to be inserted detachably in an insertion hole provided in at least a pair of wall members.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a sequin feeder apparatus in a sewing machine which sews a sequin onto a sewing workpiece while severing the sequin from a continuous sequin strip and, more particularly, a reel support structure for rotatably supporting a reel having the continuous sequin strip wound thereon.

Conventional sequin feeder apparatuses are, for example, disclosed in, for example, following Patent Document 1. Such a sequin feeder apparatus includes a sequin feed mechanism for feeding a continuous sequin strip at a predetermined pitch, and which lets out from a reel a strip of multiple continuously-connected sequins (or spangles), having the continuous sequin strip wound thereon, to set on the upper surface of a support plate of the sequin feed mechanism, feeds the continuous sequin strip at a predetermined pitch corresponding to the size of each sequin of the strip, according to a feeding operation of the sequin feed mechanism, and sews one sequin onto a sewing workpiece while severing one sequin from the continuous sequin strip having been fed in interlocked relation to a sewing operation by a needle bar of the sewing machine.

Apart from this, following Patent Document 2 discloses a sequin feeder apparatus which can be switched while sewing a sequin to be sewn. With this sequin feeder apparatus, two sequin reels having continuous sequin strips of different shapes and sizes wound thereon are arranged in parallel and two feed blocks in the sequin feed mechanism, and, by letting out and leading the continuous sequin strips from respective reels to respective feed blocks and selecting and positioning one feed block in a predetermined sewing operation position, the sequin is sewn by the feeding operation of the selected feed block. Then, by switching selection of feed blocks, it is possible to continuously sew a sequin while switching the continuous sequin strip to be fed.

With these conventional sequin feeder apparatuses, the center of the sequin reel is pivotally supported by a spindle, and a lock member is provided at the distal end portion of the spindle comes off. Then, the continuous sequin strip let out from the sequin reel is led to the sequin feed mechanism through a plurality of guide rollers.

Further, the conventional sequin feeder apparatuses can raise and lower the sequin feed mechanism between a lowered position where a sequin is sewn and a withdrawal position where the sequin feed mechanism is withdrawn upward from the lowered position, and, in this case, while, with the apparatus disclosed in following Patent Document 1, the sequin reel ascends and descends together with the sequin feed mechanism, with the device disclosed in following Patent Document 2, the sequin reel is immobile, and does not ascend and descend. With the sequin feeder apparatus in which the sequin reel does not ascend or descend, when the sequin feed mechanism ascends to the withdrawal position, a continuous sequin strip led to the sequin feed mechanism from the sequin reel slackens. Therefore, by providing a guide roller which guides a continuous sequin strip in a ascending/descending portion which ascends or descends together with the sequin feed mechanism as disclosed in following Patent Document 2 it is possible to prevent the continuous sequin strip from slackening by pulling the continuous sequin strip by means of the guide roller when the continuous sequin strip ascends to the withdrawal position.

-   [Patent Document 1] JP-A-2004-167097 -   [Patent Document 2] JP-A-2008-114049

When a sequin reel is replaced in a conventional sequin feeder apparatus, the sequin reel is removed from a spindle by releasing the lock member of the spindle to insert the next sequin reel in the spindle and lock the lock member. Releasing or locking this lock member or inserting the reel in the spindle requires labor. Further, with a mode where two sequin reels are arranged in parallel as in Patent Document 2, when the sequin reel at the base end portion of the spindle is replaced, the distal end portion of the spindle needs to be first removed from the spindle, thereby making operations complicated.

Further, with a conventional sequin feeder apparatus, a continuous sequin strip let out from the sequin reel is supported at a plurality of guide rollers and is led to the sequin feed mechanism. Supporting this continuous sequin strip at a plurality of guide rollers requires labor.

Further, with a sequin feeder apparatus of a type in which a sequin reel does not ascend and descend when the sequin feed mechanism ascends or descends, the continuous sequin strip when the sequin feed mechanism ascends to the withdrawal position is prevented from slackening by providing a guide roller in an ascending/descending portion which ascends and descends. However, there are cases where the continuous sequin strip slackens while ascending or descending and comes off from the guide roller, or the continuous sequin strip is let out unnecessarily from the sequin reel due to vibration of a sewing machine and comes off from the guide roller.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sequin feeder apparatus with a reel support structure which can stably support a sequin reel rotatably and which can easily replace a sequin reel. Further, the present invention provides a sequin feeder apparatus which can easily support a continuous sequin strip with respect to a guide member for leading the continuous sequin strip to the sequin feed mechanism.

In order to accomplish the above mentioned object, the present invention according to the first aspect provides an improved sequin feeder apparatus, which comprises: a reel support section that supports a reel having a continuous sequin strip wound thereon; and a sequin feed mechanism that feeds the continuous sequin strip, let out from the reel, toward a sewing position, wherein the reel support section comprises: a support member that rotatably supports the reel at least two positions of an outer periphery of the reel; and a posture restriction member that restricts a posture of the reel supported by the support member.

According to the first aspect, the reel support section employs a configuration in which the reel is not pivotally supported in its center hole and is rotatably supported by the support member at least two positions of the outer periphery of the reel, so that, when the reel is replaced, it is only necessary to pull out the reel supported by the support member and place the next reel on the support member. Accordingly, a conventional troublesome operation of attaching and detaching the support shaft with respect to the center hole of the reel is not required, and the sequin reel can be very easily replaced. Further, by restricting the posture of the reel by means of the posture restriction member, the reel supported by the support member at least two positions of the outer periphery maintains a stable posture.

As one aspect, the support member may employ a configuration including a roller at each support position. According to the above aspect, it is possible to smoothly rotate the reel by rolling friction between the outer periphery of the reel and the roller.

As one aspect, the posture restriction member is formed with a pair of wall members which form a gap in which the reel is inserted; and an interval of the gap formed by a pair of wall members may be configured to be adjustable. According to the above aspect, a pair of wall members restrict both lateral surfaces of the reel, so that it is possible to reliably maintain the stable posture of the reel. Further, the intervals of gaps formed by a pair of wall members are adjustable, so that it is possible to easily adapt a pair of wall member to a reel of a different size.

As one aspect, the posture restriction member has a roller that abuts on the outer periphery of the reel and presses the reel in a direction of the support position of the reel by means of the support member, and the roller may be configured to be able to move away from the reel. According to the above aspect, when the reel is replaced, it is only necessary to pull out a sequin reel by moving the roller which presses the reel in the direction of the support member, in a direction to part from the sequin reel, and place the next sequin reel. Consequently, it is very easy to replace a sequin reel.

Further in this case, at least one of the roller that presses the reel in a direction of the support position of the reel by means of the support member and a roller that is arranged in each support position of the reel in the support member may be configured to have a radius reduced toward a center. According to the above aspect, the roller has the radius reduced toward the center, so that the sequin reel is held in the center of the roller without wobbling. Further, even when the width of the reel varies depending on the size of a sequin, that is, even when the reel has any width, the reel is accommodated to the center of the roller and held without wobbling.

The sequin feeder apparatus of the present invention according to the second aspect comprises: a reel support section that supports a reel, having a continuous sequin strip wound thereon; and a sequin feed mechanism that feeds the continuous sequin strip let out from the reel, toward a sewing position, and the reel support section comprises: a hold member that rotatably holds the reel; a support member that supports the hold member from an outer side of the hold member; and a posture restriction member that restricts a posture of the hold member supported by the support member.

According to the above aspect, the reel is rotatably held in the hold member, and the hold member is simply held by the support member from the outer side of the hold member. This support portion may be formed with a plurality of point contact portions or one or a plurality of surface contact portions. It is only necessary to simply place the hold member on the support member to support the hold member by means of the support member and, further, simply pull out the hold member on the support member when the hold member is detached from the support member, and, consequently, it is easy to attach and detach the hold member to and from the support member. Consequently, when the reel is replaced, it is only necessary to simply pull out the hold member which holds an unnecessary reel, from the support member and then simply place the hold member which holds a desired reel, on the support member and, consequently, it is very easy to replace the sequin reel. Further, by restricting the posture of the hold member by means of the posture restriction member, the hold member contacted and thereby supported by the support member maintains a stable posture.

The sequin feeder apparatus according to the third aspect comprises: a reel support section that supports a reel, having a continuous sequin strip wound thereon; and a sequin feed mechanism that feeds the continuous sequin strip let out from the reel, toward a sewing position, and the reel support section comprises: a pair of wall members that form a gap in which the reel is inserted where an insertion hole in which a support shaft is detachably inserted is formed in at least one of the pair of wall members; and a support member that comprises the support shaft that is suitable to be inserted in the insertion hole detachably; and the reel is pivotally supported by inserting the reel in a gap of the pair of wall members and inserting the support shaft in the insertion hole to pivotally support the reel by means of the support shaft.

According to the third aspect, a configuration is employed where the reel is pivotally supported by the support shaft by inserting the reel in the gaps between a pair of wall members and then inserting the support shaft in the insertion hole, so that it is only necessary to attach and detach the support member to and from the wall members when a sequin reel is replaced, and it is very easy to replace the sequin reel. Further, a configuration of pivotally supporting a sequin reel is employed, so that it is possible to smoothly rotate the sequin reel even when the sequin reel is heavy.

The sequin feeder apparatus of the present invention according to the fourth aspect comprises: a reel support section that rotatably supports a reel, having a continuous sequin strip wound thereon; and a sequin feed mechanism that feeds the continuous sequin strip let out from the reel, toward a sewing position, and further comprises: a deflection member that is arranged in the middle of a route where the continuous sequin strip let out from the reel takes to reach the sequin feed mechanism, and that abuts on the continuous sequin strip to deflect the route; and a damper member that is arranged in a downstream beyond the deflection member in the route to abut on the continuous sequin strip, which can be displaced according to a tension applied to the continuous sequin strip and which is biased to hold a predetermined position.

According to this sequin feeder apparatus, the route where the continuous sequin strip let out from the reel takes to reach the sequin feed mechanism is formed with a simple configuration including the deflection member and damper member, so that it is only necessary to support the continuous sequin strip at the deflection member and damper member to set the continuous sequin strip let out from the reel, in the route reaching the sequin feed mechanism, and it is easy to set the continuous sequin strip. Further, the damper member is arranged in the downstream of the deflection member in the route, and therefore the damper member is arranged to the vicinity of the sequin feed mechanism, so that it is possible to displace the damper member in good response to the change of the tension of the continuous sequin strip accompanying a continuous sequin feeding operation of the sequin feed mechanism, and it is possible to prevent the continuous sequin strip from slackening.

As one aspect, the deflection member may be configured to apply a sliding resistance to the continuous sequin strip. This sliding resistance prevents the continuous sequin strip from slackening in the deflection member portion, so that it is possible to prevent the continuous sequin strip from coming off from the deflection member and damper member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For better understanding of the object and other features of the present invention, its preferred embodiments will be described hereinbelow in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a right side view of a sequin feed unit (sequin feeder apparatus) according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a sequin feed unit illustrated in FIG. 1:

FIG. 3 is a right side view illustrating a state where a sequin feed mechanism installed in a mounting base in the sequin feed unit is raised to a withdrawal position;

FIG. 4 is a right side view of a sequin feed unit (sequin feeder apparatus) according the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the sequin feed unit illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a reel support structure according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating a reel support structure according to still another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a support shaft member illustrated in FIG. 7 applied to embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a right side view of a sequin feed unit (sequin feeder apparatus) 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and H indicates a sewing machine head, 2 indicates a needle bar case and 3 indicates a needle plate. The sequin feed unit 1 is attached respectively to the left side and/or right side of the needle bar case 2, and is attached to the left side alone with the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating the sequin feed unit 1 alone. The sequin feed unit 1 described in the present embodiment is formed by providing two sequin reels 12 side by side and can be switched while sewing the sequin to be sewn, by switching a sequin reel used for sewing, to one of the reels 12.

The sequin feed unit 1 has a base 4 fixed to the left side surface of the needle bar case 2 and amounting base 5 which is provided in the base 4 to ascend and descend. An upper portion bracket 6 is fixed to an upper portion of the base 4 and is provided with a motor 7. The mounting base 5 is driven by this motor 7 and is raised and lowered between the lowered position where a sequin is sewn as illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and the withdrawal position illustrated in FIG. 3.

The mounting base 5 is provided horizontally slidably with the sequin feed mechanism 10 which has two feed blocks 8 and 9, and the sequin feed mechanism 10 slides to select one of the feed blocks 8 and 9 to connect to a feed driving source, and a sequin let out from the reel 12 matching the selected feed block 8 or 9 is fed to a sewing position. In addition, the sequin feed mechanism 10 is the same as in above Patent Document 2, and therefore detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

The base 4 supports in parallel the two reels 12 having continuous sequin strips 11 wound thereon respectively. A fan-like support bracket 13 is fixed to the upper portion bracket 6. The support shafts 14 and 14 are respectively fixed to the left and right ends of the support bracket 13, and are provided with two rollers 15 and 15 respectively. The bracket 16 is formed at the lower end in the center of the support bracket 13, a center support plate 17 is fixed to the center of the bracket 16 and external support plates 18 and 18 are fixed near the left and right end portions of the bracket 16 such that the positions of the external support plates 18 and 18 in the axial direction can be adjusted. Felts 19 are pasted on both of the left and right sides of the center support plate 17 and the inner sides of the external support plates 18 and 18. The reels 12 are respectively set between this center support plate 17 and the right side of external support plate 18 and between the center support plate 17 and the left side of the external support plate 18, and the outer periphery of the lower portions thereof are rotatably supported by the two rollers 15 and 15 (at two positions) and the postures thereof are restricted virtually vertically by the center support plate 17 and external support plates 18. In addition, when the widths of the reels 12 are different due to the sizes of sequins of the continuous sequin strips 11, the fixed positions of the external support plates 18 can be adjusted in the axial direction to support the different widths.

In this way, the support bracket 13, support shaft 14 and rollers 15 form a support member which supports the outer periphery of the reels 12 at two positions and rotatably support the reels 12. Further, the bracket 16, center support plate 17 and external support plates 18 form the posture restriction member which restricts the posture of the reel 12 in a state where the reels 12 are supported by the support member. Further, the center support plate 17 and external support plates 18 function as a pair of wall members which form gaps in which the reels 12 are inserted, and the intervals of the gaps formed by a pair of the wall members can be adjusted by adjusting the positions of the external support plates 18 as described above.

The mounting base 5 is provided with a guide pin 20 which guides the continuous sequin strip 11, a guide member 21 which is a deflection member and a tension rod 24, and is provided with a detection device 26 which detects that the continuous sequin strip 11 wound on the reel 12 is fully supplied. In the guide member 21, a guide hole 22 which guides the continuous sequin strip 11 is formed, and a slit 23 which allows the continuous sequin strip 11 to enter the guide hole 22 is formed. A pair of linear springs 25 and 25 are fixed to the front of the guide member 21, and the end portion of the tension rod 24 is fixed to the lower end portions of the linear springs 25 and 25, respectively. This tension rod 24 and a pair of linear springs 25 and 25 form the damper member. The detection device 26 employs a common configuration, and two levers 27 and 27 with abut portions 27 a which can abut on the continuous sequin strip 11 are pivotally provided, with the shaft 26 a to detect pivoting of the levers 27. The detection device 26 makes the continuous sequin strip 11 abut on the abut portion 27 a of this lever 27 and receives the lever 27 pivoting clue to the weight of the abutting portion 27 a and pivots the lever 27 when the continuous sequin strip 11 runs out to detect that the continuous sequin strip 11 is fully supplied.

The continuous sequin strip 11 let out from the reel 12 is supported at the guide pin 20 and abutting portion 27 a of the detection device 26, is guided to the guide hole 22 of the guide member 21 and then is supported at the tension rod 24. By this means, the upper side 21 a and the lower side 21 b which form the guide hole 22 of the guide member 21, and the tension rod 24 bend the continuous sequin strip 11. These upper side 21 a, lower side 21 b and tension rod 24 are arranged on a virtually straight line, and, while the continuous sequin strip 11 is smoothly let out accompanying sewing of a sequin, a sliding resistance is produced due to the above bending when a sequin is not sewn and, therefore, the continuous sequin strip 11 does not slacken in this portion and thereby does not come off from the tension rod 24.

In addition, a pivoting bias due to the weight of the abut portion 27 a is applied to the lever 27 of the detection device 26 between the guide pin 20 and guide member 21, so that, even in this portion, the continuous sequin strip 11 does not slacken due to the sliding resistance.

When a sequin is sewn, the reels 12 having the continuous sequin strips 11 of different shapes and sizes between the center support plate 17 and each external support plate 18 wound thereon are set. The continuous sequin strip 11 let out from each reel 12 is supported at the guide pin 20, abut portion 27 a of the lever 27, guide hole 22 of the guide member 21 and tension rod 24 in order as illustrated in FIG. 1, and is guided to the respective feed blocks 8 and 9 of the sequin feed mechanism 10. Then, the selected one of the feed blocks 8 and 9 of the sequin feed mechanism 10 performs a feeding operation of letting out one continuous sequin strip, and the sewing machine head H performs a sewing operation to sew the sequin at the distal end portion of the continuous sequin strip 11 onto the sewing workpiece. In addition, a cutter mechanism for cutting off the distal end portion of the sewn continuous sequin strip in interlocked relation to a sewing operation is commonly known, and therefore illustration and description thereof will not be repeated.

With the present embodiment, when the reel 12 is replaced, it is only necessary to pull out the reel 12 from the center support plate 17 and each external support plate 18, and insert another reel 12 to replace the reel 12 very easily. Further, the two reels 12 provided side by side can be individually replaced and, consequently, it is not necessary to detach one reel 12 in order to detach (or replace) the other reel 12.

With the present embodiment, it is only necessary to support the continuous sequin strip 11 let out from the reel 12 at the guide pin 20, abut portion 27 a of the lever 27, guide hole 22 of the guide member 21 and tension rod 24 in order, and, consequently, it is very easy to perform manual labor for setting the continuous sequin strip 11. In view of above, it is very easy to perform a series of manual labors of replacing the reel 12 and leading the continuous sequin strip 11 of the replaced reel 12 to the sequin feed mechanism 10, and it is possible to substantially reduce the time required for this manual labor.

Further, with the present embodiment, the continuous sequin strip 11 let out from the reel 12 is bent at the upper side 21 a and lower side 21 b of the guide member 21 and tension rod 24, so that, when the mounting base 5 is raised to the withdrawal position illustrated in FIG. 3, the continuous sequin strip 11 does not slacken in this portion, and does not come off from the guide member 21, let alone, the tension rod 24. Furthermore, in this case, although part of the continuous sequin strip 11 slackens in the reel 12 portion as illustrated in FIG. 3, the slackened portion of the continuous sequin strip 11 does not jump sideward from the reel 12 due to the roller 15 which supports the outer periphery of the lower portion of the reel 12.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 4 is a right side view of a sequin feed unit (sequin feeder apparatus) 30 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and, similar to the first embodiment, H indicates the sewing machine head, 2 indicates the needle bar case and 3 indicates the needle plate, and the sequin feed unit 30 is attached to the left side of the needle bar case 2 alone. FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating the sequin feed unit 30 alone. The sequin feed unit 30 according to the present embodiment can sew only a sequin let out from one sequin reel.

The sequin feed unit 30 has a base 31 fixed to the left side surface of the needle bar case 2 and a mounting base 32 provided to the mounting base 31 to ascend and descend. An air cylinder 33 is provided to the base 31, and, by driving this air cylinder 33, the mounting base 32 is raised and lowered between the lowered position where a sequin is sewn as illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 and the withdrawal position above the lowered position.

A sequin feed mechanism 34 which feeds sequins is provided to the mounting base 32. In addition, the sequin feed mechanism 34 may be a common mechanism, and therefore the detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

The upper portion bracket 35 is fixed to an upper portion of the base 31, and the fan-like bracket 36 is fixed to the upper portion bracket 35. Support shafts 37 and 37 are fixed to the left and right ends of the support bracket 36 respectively, and support rollers 38 and 38 are provided to the both support shafts 37 and 37. A support arm 39 having a press roller 40 is pivotally supported on the distal end portion of the support shaft 37 on the right side (rear side) of the support bracket 36. The torsion spring 41 is provided in the base end portion of the support arm 39, and the support arm 39 is pivotally biased in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4. These two support rollers 38 and 38 support the outer periphery of the lower portion of the reel 42 and the press roller 40 presses the reel 42 from above.

In this way, the support bracket 36, support shaft 37 and rollers 38 form a support member which supports the outer periphery of the reel 42 at two positions and rotatably supports the reel 42. Further, the support arm 39, press roller 40 and torsion spring 41 form the posture restriction member which restricts the posture of the reel 42 in a state where the reel 42 is supported by the support member. Meanwhile, by raising the roller 40 by the human hand, the roller 40 is moved away from the reel 42 against the biasing force of the torsion spring 41. Then, when the hand lets go the raised roller 40, the biasing force of the torsion spring 41 returns the roller 40 to the position in which the roller 40 abuts on the outer periphery of the reel 42.

In addition, as is clear from FIG. 5, roller portions of the two support rollers 38 and 38 and the press roller 40 have shapes reduced toward the center (that is, a double tapered shape or a valley shape which reduces the radius toward the center portion), and the supported reel 42 is restricted in the center position of the roller portion and does not wobble. Further, even when the widths of reels 42 are different according to the sizes of sequins, the reel 42 is positioned in the center of each roller portion, so that it is not necessary at all to adjust the position in the axial direction according to the width of the reel 42.

The reel 42 is set by raising the press roller 40 upward against the biasing force of the torsion spring 41, inserting the reel 42 between three rollers 38, 38 and 40 and then returning the press roller 40 to the original position to abut on reel 42. The mounting base 32 is provided with a guide pin 43 which guides a continuous sequin strip 49 similar to the first embodiment, a guide member 44 which has a guide hole 45, a tension rod 46 and a linear spring 64 which form a damper member, and a detection device 47 which has a lever 48. Although these components have shapes and configurations matching one reel 42, the functions are the same as in the first embodiment and description thereof will not be repeated.

When a sequin is sewn, the press roller 40 is raised upward, the reel 42 having a desired continuous sequin strip 49 loaded thereon is inserted between three rollers 38, 38 and 40, and the press roller 40 is returned to the original position to abut on the reel 42 in order to set the reel 42. The continuous sequin strip 49 let out from the reel 42 is supported at the guide pin 43, lever 48 of the detection device 47, guide hole 45 of the guide member 44 and tension rod 46 in order as illustrated in FIG. 4, and is guided to the sequin feed mechanism 34. Then, the sequin feed mechanism 34 performs a feeding operation of letting out the continuous sequin strip 49, and the sewing machine head H performs a sewing operation to sew the sequin onto the sewing workpiece.

With the present embodiment, when the reel 42 is replaced, it is only necessary to pull out the reel 42 by raising the press roller 40 upward against the biasing force of the torsion spring 41, insert another reel 42 between the three rollers 38, 38 and 40 and return the press roller 40 to the original position, and it is easy to replace the reel 42. Further, the roller portions of the three rollers 38, 38 and 40 each have the radius reduced toward the center, so that the reel 42 is not only held in the center of the roller portions without wobbling but also needs not to be adjusted at all even if the width of the reel 42 is different.

Other Embodiments

FIG. 6 illustrates a reel support structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 illustrates a mode where a reel 50 is rotatably held by means of a pair of hold members 51 and 52. The support members 51 and 52 have disc shapes, and the center portion of one hold member 51 is provided with a hollow support shaft 53 which rotatably supports the reel 50 and the center portion of the other hold member 52 is provided with a fitting insertion member 54 which fits by insertion to the inner periphery of the support shaft 53. In a state where the support shaft 53 of this hold member 51 is inserted in the center hole of the reel 50 to rotatably support the reel 50, the reel 50 is sandwiched and held by a pair of hold members 51 and 52. With the present embodiment, the reel support portion in the sequin feed unit is formed with the hold members 51 and 52 which hold the reel 50 as described above, the support member which supports the hold members 51 and 52 holding the reel 50, from the outer sides of the hold members 51 and 52, and a posture restriction member which restricts the postures of the hold members 51 and 52 in a state where the hold members 51 and 52 are supported by the support member. This support portion of the support member only needs to be formed with a plurality of point contact portions or one or a plurality of surface contact portions, and prevent the hold members 51 and 52 from falling due to the action of gravity. Further, the postures of the hold members 51 and 52 which are supported by the support member are restricted by the posture restriction member, so that unstable motions of the hold members 51 and 52 in the lateral direction are stopped by this posture restriction member.

Although details of the support member and posture restriction member adopted in the present embodiment are not particularly illustrated, one of configurations illustrated in the first embodiment and second embodiment may be used, or an equivalent configuration thereof may be used. That is, as the support member which supports the hold members 51 and 52 from the outer sides of the hold members 51 and 52, the configurations indicated by reference numerals 13, 14 and 15 or 36, 37 and 38 in the first or second embodiment or an equivalent configuration thereof may be used. Further, as the posture restriction member which restricts the postures of the hold members 51 and 52 in a state where the hold members 51 and 52 are held by the support member, the configuration indicated by reference numerals 17 and 18, and 39, 40 and 41 in the first or second embodiment or an equivalent configuration thereof may be used.

In addition, with the present embodiment, the reel 50 is rotatable inside the hold members 51 and 52, and therefore the hold members 51 and 52 themselves do not need to rotate, so that the above support member which supports the hold members 51 and 52 may not include the rollers (15 or 38). Further, when the configuration of the first or second embodiment is employed as the support member, there are a plurality of portions of the hold members 51 and 52 supported by the support member, the support member is not limited to this point contact structure and may be supported by at least one surface contact structure. For example, when the configuration of FIG. 1 is employed, instead of a pair of rollers 15, the hold members 51 and 52 may be supported by an arc surface contact structure connecting two points at which a pair of rollers 15 are arranged.

In addition, a sidewall for preventing a slackened continuous sequin strip from jumping sideward from the hold members 51 and 52 may be provided in the outer peripheral portion of one of the hold members 51 and 52. This sidewall may be provided in the virtually entire periphery, or may be partially such as on an upper portion alone. In addition, although the hold members 51 and 52 may have a disc shape, other shapes such as a square shape are possible, and, in this case, the support member which supports the hold members 51 and 52 employs a configuration matching the shape. With the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the reel 50 is pivotally supported at its rotation center rotatably inside the hold members 51 and 52, and there is an advantage of smoothly rotating the reel 50 even when the reel 50 is heavy.

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 illustrate a reel support structure of still another embodiment according to the present invention. A mode where the support shaft which pivotally supports the reel 55 is detachable is illustrated. A pair of support plates 56 and 56 are provided to stand in the portion to set the reel 55, and at least one support plate 56 is made of a metal (magnetic body) and a hole 57 through which the support shaft is inserted is formed in the support plate 56. FIG. 8 illustrates a support shaft member 58 which pivotally supports the reel 55, the support shaft member 58 has a support shaft 59 and a flange portion 60 which support the reel 55 and a magnet 61 is pasted on the surface of the flange portion 60 on the support shaft 59 side. The support shaft 59 of this support shaft member 58 is inserted in the hole 57 of the support plate 56 to pivotally support the reel 55. In this state, by means of magnetic attraction of the magnet 61, the support shaft member 58 is attracted and held by the support plate 56 which is made of a magnetic body. Then, the reel 55 is replaced by attaching and detaching the support shaft member 58 to and from the support plate 56. In this case, the two support members 62 are preferably provided such that the reel 55 does not fall when the support shaft member 58 is detached. In a state where the support shaft member 58 is attached to the support plate 56 to pivotally support the reel 55, this support member 62 does not contact at all the outer periphery of the reel 55 or slightly contacts the reel 55 to an extent that the support member 62 does not prevent smooth rotation of the reel 55 even if the support member 62 contacts the reel 55.

In addition, the mode of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 may be additionally applied to the first embodiment. That is, it may be possible to provide in the outer support plates 18 of the first embodiment the holes in which the support shaft 59 of the support shaft member 58 is inserted, additionally attach the support shaft member 58 when the reel 12 (FIG. 1) is heavy, and pivotally support the reel 12 by means of the support shaft 59. In other words, it may be possible to form the support member 62 in FIG. 7 with a roller, and additionally support the reel 55 by means of the roller rotatably.

Although the two reels 12 are provided side by side with the above first embodiment, the structure is not limited to this and may support only one reel 12. In this case, instead of the structures illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the structure of the sequin feed mechanism 10 employs the same configuration as the sequin feed mechanism 34 as illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. That is, the reel support structure as illustrated in FIG. 1 may be applied to the sequin feed unit 30 as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Similarly, with the above second embodiment, although only one reel 42 is attached, the structure is not limited to this and may be provided with two reels side by side. In this case, instead of the structure as illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the structure of the sequin feed mechanism 34 may employ the same configuration as the sequin feed mechanism 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. That is, the reel support structure illustrated in FIG. 4 may be applied to the sequin feed unit 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

Although the support member which abuts on the outer periphery of the reels at two positions to rotatably support the reels employs a configuration including the rollers 15 and 38 with the above first and second embodiment, the support member may employ a configuration including, for example, pins which do not rotate instead of the rollers 15 and 38, and the pins preferably have little portions contacting the outer periphery of the reels to an extent that smooth rotation of the reels are not prevented.

Although the positions of a pair of support members (rollers 15 or 38) which abut on the outer periphery of the reels at two positions to rotatably support the reels are fixed in the above first and second embodiments, the positions of a pair of support members are not limited to this and the position of at least one of a pair of support members (rollers 15 or 38) may be configured to be adjustable according to the diameter of the reel.

Although a pair of support members (rollers 15 or 38) which abut on the outer periphery of the reels at two positions to rotatably support the reels are utilized in the above first and second embodiments, a pair of support members (rollers 15 or 38) are not limited to this and may be configured to rotatably support the reels at three or more positions.

Although the roller portions of the two support rollers 38 and 38 and the press roller 40 have shapes which reduce the radius toward the center with the above second embodiment, all or part of rollers which are straight and do not have a varying radius may be used. By, for example, making the two support rollers 38 and 38 have a straight radius and making the press roller 40 have a reduced radius, straight rollers and a roller of a reduced radius may be adequately combined. Further, one roller may have a shape which is straight and does not have a varying radius in a certain range close to the outer side and which reduces the radius toward the center from a certain portion.

Although the press roller 40 is raised upward by a human hand when the reel 42 is replaced with the above second embodiment, the press roller 40 is not limited to this and may be driven and moved accompanying insertion and pull-out of the reel 42. In this case, the biasing force of the torsion spring 41 is adequately set such that the press roller 40 is driven and moved accompanying insertion and pull-out of the reel 42. Further, in this case, a stopper which restricts the position of the support arm 39 is preferably provided such that the press roller 40 is adequately positioned in a state where the reel 42 is not set.

Although, with the above first embodiment, the guide hole 22 is formed in the guide member 21 and the continuous sequin strip 11 is bent in the upper side 21 a and lower side 21 b, the guide hole 22 is not necessarily required and the continuous sequin strip 11 may be each bent by individual members. The same applies to the second embodiment.

As described above, the present invention makes it easy to set a reel and support a continuous sequin strip let out from the reel, at each member which leads the continuous sequin strip to the sequin feed mechanism, and substantially reduce the time required to replace the reel.

This application is based on, and claims priority to, JP PA 2010-025404 filed on 8 Feb. 2010. The disclosure of the priority application, in its entirety, including the drawings, claims, and the specification thereof, is incorporated herein by reference. 

1. A sequin feeder apparatus comprising: a reel support section that supports a reel having a continuous sequin strip wound thereon; and a sequin feed mechanism that feeds the continuous sequin strip, let out from the reel, toward a sewing position, wherein the reel support section comprises: a support member that rotatably supports the reel at least two positions of an outer periphery of the reel; and a posture restriction member that restricts a posture of the reel supported by the support member.
 2. The sequin feeder apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support member further comprises a roller at each support position.
 3. The sequin feeder apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the posture restriction member is formed with a pair of wall members that form a gap in which the reel is inserted; and an interval of the gap formed by a pair of wall members is adjustable.
 4. The sequin feeder apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the posture restriction member comprises a roller that abuts on the outer periphery of the reel and presses the reel in a direction of the support position of the reel by means of the support member, the roller being able to move away from the reel.
 5. The sequin feeder apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the roller that presses the reel in a direction of the support position of the reel by means of the support member and a roller that is arranged in each support position of the reel in the support member has a radius reduced toward a center.
 6. The sequin feeder apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the support member comprises a pair of wall members that form a gap in which the reel is inserted, an insertion hole in which a support shaft is detachably inserted being formed in at least one of the pair of wall members; and a support shaft member that comprises the support shaft that is suitable to be inserted in the insertion hole detachably; and the reel is further pivotally supported by inserting the reel in the gap of the pair of wall members and inserting the support shaft in the insertion hole.
 7. A sequin feeder apparatus comprising: a reel support section that supports a reel having a continuous sequin strip wound thereon; and a sequin feed mechanism that feeds the continuous sequin strip, let out from the reel, toward a sewing position, wherein the reel support section comprises: a hold member that rotatably holds the reel; a support member that supports the hold member from an outer side of the hold member; and a posture restriction member that restricts a posture of the hold member (51, 52) supported by the support member.
 8. A sequin feeder apparatus comprising: a reel support section that supports a reel having a continuous sequin strip wound thereon; and a sequin feed mechanism that feeds the continuous sequin strip, let out from the reel, toward a sewing position, wherein: the reel support section comprises: a pair of wall members that form a gap in which the reel is inserted, an insertion hole in which a support shaft is detachably inserted being formed in at least one of the pair of wall members; and a support member that comprises the support shaft that is suitable to be inserted in the insertion hole detachably; and the reel is pivotally supported by inserting the reel in a gap of the pair of wall members and inserting the support shaft in the insertion hole to pivotally support the reel by means of the support shaft.
 9. The sequin feeder apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a deflection member that is arranged in the middle of a route where a continuous sequin strip let out from the reel takes to reach the sequin feed mechanism, and that abuts on the sequin continuous strip to deflect the route; and a damper member that is arranged in a downstream beyond the deflection member in the route to abut on the sequin continuous strip, which can be displaced according to a tension applied to the sequin continuous strip and which is biased to hold a predetermined position.
 10. The sequin feeder apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: a deflection member that is arranged in the middle of a route where a continuous sequin strip let out from the reel takes to reach the sequin feed mechanism, and that abuts on the sequin continuous strip to deflect the route; and a damper member that is arranged in a downstream beyond the deflection member in the route to abut on the sequin continuous strip, which can be displaced according to a tension applied to the sequin continuous strip and which is biased to hold a predetermined position.
 11. The sequin feeder apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: a deflection member that is arranged in the middle of a route where a continuous sequin strip let out from the reel takes to reach the sequin feed mechanism, and that abuts on the sequin continuous strip to deflect the route; and a damper member that is arranged in a downstream beyond the deflection member in the route to abut on the sequin continuous strip, which can be displaced according to a tension applied to the sequin continuous strip and which is biased to hold a predetermined position.
 12. A sequin feeder apparatus comprising: a reel support section that rotatably supports a reel having a continuous sequin strip wound thereon; and a sequin feed mechanism that feeds the continuous sequin strip, let out from the reel, toward a sewing position, wherein the sequin feeder apparatus further comprises a deflection member that is arranged in the middle of a route where the continuous sequin strip let out from the reel takes to reach the sequin feed mechanism, and that abuts on the continuous sequin strip to deflect the route; and a damper member that is arranged in a downstream beyond the deflection member in the route to abut on the continuous sequin strip, which can be displaced according to a tension applied to the sequin continuous strip and which is biased to hold a predetermined position.
 13. The sequin feeder apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the deflection member is configured to apply a sliding resistance to the continuous sequin strip. 